Singapore, 20 September 2012 – Giant pandas Kai Kai (凯凯) and Jia Jia (嘉嘉) today
underwent a thorough medical examination as part of their quarantine routine. This routine check-up is conducted for all new animals that are added into Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s (WRS) parks to ensure that the animals are healthy. This is usually carried out after the new animals have settled in their quarantine dens.

WRS’ zoology and veterinary teams had previously conducted daily observational checks on the two giant pandas since their arrival on 6 September. Today’s complete medical examination included a full dental and body check, blood sample withdrawal, an X-ray and ultrasound scan and a Tuberculin test. Each examination took approximately one hour. Medical checks show that Kai Kai and Jia Jia are doing fine.

WRS’ veterinary team, led by Assistant Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Serena Oh (centre), observes the dental formula and examines the condition of Kai Kai’s teeth.WRS’ veterinary team positions a sedated Kai Kai in preparation for the medical examination. Kai Kai was anaesthetised at 9.25am.Female giant panda Jia Jia being wheeled out on a stretcher at WRS’ Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre.

Singapore, 14 September 2012 – Male giant panda Kai Kai (凯凯), born on 14 September 2007, spends his first birthday in Singapore today with a delicious cake made of ice, carrots and other panda treats.

Panda-licious: Kai Kai enjoys a special birthday cake made of ice, carrots, apples and high-fibre biscuits. The male giant panda and his female counterpart, Jia Jia, are undergoing quarantine at the den block in River Safari.Kai Kai watches in anticipation as Abdul Halim, River Safari’s Assistant Curator of Zoology, adds finishing touches to the birthday cake.￼Abdul Halim, River Safari’s Assistant Curator of Zoology, arranges high-fibre biscuits to form the initials “KK5” as toppings for Kai Kai’s fifth birthday. The cake had to be frozen overnight and weighed approximately 5 kg.Kai Kai indulges in a buffet of sulphur bamboo (Phyllostachys sulphurea) and Siamese bamboo (Thyrsostachys siamensis).

Both Kai Kai and Jia Jia have settled into their dens and have started to feast on locally-grown bamboo such as sulphur bamboo and hedge bamboo a day after their arrival on 6 September 2012. After undergoing quarantine, they will be released into their exhibit to explore and familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Visitors can look forward to visiting Kai Kai and Jia Jia at the giant panda exhibit this December.

Singapore, 10 September 2012 – This week, more than 240 zookeepers from 32 countries will descend on Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s parks for the 4th International Congress on Zookeeping. This is the first time the global congress, organised in conjunction with the International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ)*, will be held in Asia.

Themed “Many Voices, One Calling”, the thrice-yearly conference, brings together zoo professionals from around the world to enhance the professionalism of zookeepers and the welfare of the wild animals in their care, and promote awareness and actions that will contribute to the preservation of wildlife everywhere.

Held from 9-13 September this year, most of the conference proceedings will take place in Jurong Bird Park. However, workshops will be held in Night Safari and Singapore Zoo and take delegates behind the scenes for more practical hands on sessions with some of the parks’ residents such as the Malayan tapirs, primates, amphibians and reptiles.

“Organising an international global conference of this scale for zookeepers is a significant milestone for Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and is in line with our vision to be the leading wildlife conservation, education and recreation institution in the world. This congress is an excellent platform for keepers from all over the world to brainstorm, explore and eventually pursue other avenues to bring the art of zookeeping to an even more pronounced level,” said Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman, Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Ms Liz Romer of the ICZ Steering Committee, said: “The idea of holding the conference in Singapore surfaced at the second instalment on the Gold Coast in 2006. We knew we made the right decision to hold it here as the three Wildlife Reserves Singapore parks offer many opportunities for practical sharing of best practices in a conducive environment. All the participants are eagerly waiting for this conference to start!”

In recent years, Wildlife Reserves Singapore has organised various conferences and workshops such as the first Asian Primate Conservation Workshop, Amphibian Conservation Workshop, regional workshop on turtle conservation and the 1st Southeast Asian Animal Enrichment and Training Workshop.

* ICZ is run by a steering committee that consists 18 members representing the world’s nine professional keeper associations. They have met once a year since 2000 to coordinate the development of an international association that will promote professional animal care throughout the world. More information is available at http://www.iczoo.org

Singapore, 6 September 2012 – Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) today announced that the two giant pandas from China have arrived safely. The giant pandas, Kai Kai (凯凯) and Jia Jia (嘉嘉), touched down at Changi Airport on board a Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747 freighter at 8.20am after a five-hour flight.

“We are delighted that Kai Kai and Jia Jia have reached Singapore safe and sound. It is an honour to be entrusted with two of China’s national treasures and their arrival symbolises the strong ties and deep friendship between Singapore and China. It is an exciting time for tourism in Singapore, with the opening of new attractions like the River Safari. Kai Kai and Jia Jia will certainly generate great interest and excitement for visitors and Singaporeans alike. We will continue to strengthen our tourism value proposition with new and diversified tourism offerings to grow the tourism sector,” says Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

“With this captivating species as one of the main attractions at River Safari, we are anticipating at least 850,000 visitors annually. Through this collaborative programme with China Wildlife Conservation Association, WRS now has another opportunity to boost greater interest in the area of wildlife conservation by bringing visitors up close to the two giant pandas and hopefully inspiring them to care for threatened wildlife ecosystems around the world”, said Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman of WRS.

CapitaLand Limited, one of Asia’s largest real estate companies with a strong presence in China for over 15 years, has pledged a conservation donation to support the 10-year collaborative programme.

Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO of CapitaLand Group, and Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation, said: “CapitaLand’s role as the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda Collaborative Programme resonates with the Group’s core values of ‘People’ and ‘Community’. The programme provides an excellent platform to enhance cultural exchange and understanding between Singapore and China, and promote wildlife conservation education, CapitaLand is committed to sustainability in all our development projects in the geographies we operate and we are pleased to be part of this meaningful effort to conserve and share the beauty of wildlife with our future generations.”

Singapore Airlines, Official Airline Sponsor, has provided transportation for the pandas as well as air tickets for training and exchange programmes involving the team of panda caretakers’ from both Singapore and China.

“Singapore Airlines is pleased to have transported Kai Kai and Jia Jia comfortably to Singapore. We warmly welcome them to their new home at the River Safari, and are privileged to be playing our part in this significant conservation initiative,” said Mr Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines.

Upon landing, the giant pandas were received by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and representatives* from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore; State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China; CapitaLand Limited; CapitaLand Hope Foundation; Singapore Airlines; Temasek Holdings; Singapore Tourism Board; and Wildlife Reserves Singapore, who gathered at the cargo area to welcome the bears. Subsequently, the giant pandas were whisked away in a temperature-controlled truck to their quarantine enclosure in River Safari while the guests continued with the welcome ceremony at the Jet Quay CIP facility at Changi Airport.

During the ceremony, WRS Chairman Ms Claire Chiang presented VIP (Very Important Panda) passes to representatives from the State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China, symbolic of the pandas’ new status as residents of River Safari.

Over at the entrance of River Safari, a crowd of close to 1000 guests and WRS staff were waiting expectantly at the driveway. They cheered enthusiastically as the truck containing the precious pandas approached, led by an escort jeep, six lion dancers and two panda mascots in the likeness of Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

Within 3 hours of landing in Singapore, Kai Kai and Jia Jia were smoothly transferred into their quarantine dens with careful coordination by the Chinese giant panda specialists and WRS zoology and veterinary teams. The team shared that the pair were calm and relaxed throughout the operation.

The giant pandas will be quarantined for a month before being released into their exhibit to explore and familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Visitors can look forward to visiting Kai Kai and Jia Jia at the giant panda exhibit this December.

Kai Kai and Jia Jia will be in Singapore for 10 years as part of a joint collaboration between China Wildlife Conservation Association and WRS to raise public awareness on wildlife conservation and develop a breeding programme for these endangered animals. There are fewer than 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. The pair of giant pandas also emphasises the close diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.

Singapore is the ninth country to receive giant pandas from China since 1994.

SQ7168 reveals the precious cargo it’s carrying, two crates containing Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the giant pandasPanda welcoming party (from left): Mr Ng Chin Hwee, Executive Vice President Human Resources & Operations, Singapore Airlines Chairman SIA Cargo; Ms Zhang Hong Yan, Deputy Director, State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board; Mr David Heng, Senior Managing Director, Investment, Temasek Holdings; Mr Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines; Mr Liu Yawen, Deputy Director, State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Dai Bing, Charge D’affairs, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore; Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry; Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman, Wildlife Reserves Singapore; Mr S R Nathan, former President of Singapore; and Chairman, CapitaLand Hope Foundation; Mr Ng Kee Choe, Chairman, CapitaLand Limited; Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO, CapitaLand Limited; Ms Jennie Chua, Director, CapitaLand Hope Foundation; Mr Xiao Jiang Hua, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore; Mr Lee Meng Tat, CEO, Wildlife Reserves Singapore are all smiles as they welcome Kai Kai and Jia Jia to Singapore.Giant key for the giants’ exhibit: Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO, CapitaLand Limited presents a key to Mr Liu Yawen, Deputy Director, State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China. CapitaLand Limited, as the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda collaborative programme, has pledged a conservation donation to support the 10-year collaborative programme.Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the giant panda mascots, lapping up the adoration of the public as they wait for the giant pandas’ arrival at the entrance of River Safari.Safe and sound: River Safari keepers watch as Kai Kai, one of the pair of giant pandas from China, indulges in his first taste of bamboo after being moved into his den. The two giant pandas will undergo a month long quarantine and will be conditioned to their new habitat before going on public display in December this year.

– LIVE STREAMING OF VIPS’ (VERY IMPORTANT PANDAS) ARRIVAL FROM TOUCHDOWN TO QUARANTINE
– GIANT PANDA STAMPS WILL ALSO BE LAUNCHED TO COMMEMORATE EVENT

Panda-ready: Giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia can look forward to a lush habitat peppered with waterfalls, climbing structures and other enrichment features designed to allow the pandas to rest, explore, climb and even swim. PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Singapore, 4 September 2012 – Giant panda fans waiting with bated breath for Kai Kai (凯 凯) and Jia Jia’s (嘉嘉) arrival will be able to witness their historical touchdown in Singapore via a ‘live’ feed at http://pandas.riversafari.com.sg on 6 September.

The live streaming of the event will be made possible with the support of SingTel’s Media Delivery Platform, a new media service which allows enterprises to publish and broadcast their digital contents to media devices or platforms.

The giant pandas from Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base will be flown to Singapore on board a Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747 freighter and are expected to touch down at Changi Airport at 8.20am. As soon as the flight arrives, pandamaniacs will be able to follow the endangered bears’ journey from Changi Airport to their quarantine enclosure at the Yangtze River zone of the upcoming River Safari, which will also house other endangered wildlife from China such as the giant salamander and the red panda.

After completing a month-long quarantine, the pandas will be released into their exhibit to explore and familiarise themselves with their new surroundings before going on public display. Visitors can visit Kai Kai and Jia Jia when the giant panda exhibit opens in December this year.

The 1,500m2 giant panda complex – the largest in Southeast Asia – simulates the bears’ natural habitat, with lush live plants, boulders and water features. Waterfalls with shallow pools, climbing structures and other enrichment features are designed to allow the pandas to rest, explore, climb and even swim. Outdoor yards have been created so that the pandas can enjoy fresh air and have the option to experience our tropical climate.

The temperature in the climate-controlled exhibit is kept between 18-22 degrees Celsius year round. Humidity is also set at 50-60 per cent to ensure the pandas are always comfortable. The habitat’s specifications exceed those set by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

In celebration of the giant pandas’ arrival, SingPost will issue specially-designed commemorative stamps. The stamps will feature the panda pair in three designs depicting them in various playful and relaxed poses. The stamp products can be purchased at all post offices and the Singapore Philatelic Museum starting 6 September.

Kai Kai and Jia Jia will be in Singapore for 10 years as part of a joint collaboration between China Wildlife Conservation Association and WRS to raise public awareness on wildlife conservation and develop a breeding programme for these endangered animals. There are fewer than 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. The pair of giant pandas also emphasises the close diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.

CapitaLand, the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda collaborative programme, has pledged a conservation donation to support the 10-year collaborative programme to promote giant panda conservation; and Singapore Airlines is the Official Airline Sponsor of these gentle animals.

Singapore will be the ninth country to receive giant pandas from China since 1994.